Price to start for Habs against Wings and Emelin will be back in lineup

The Canadiens, coming off a 5-1 loss to the Penguins Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, practised for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon in Detroit as they prepare to face the Red Wings Friday night (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

Coach Michel Therrien confirmed that Carey Price, who was pulled against the Penguins, will start in goal and that Alexei Emelin, who was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh, will be back in the lineup. Emelin was paired with Andrei Markov during Thursday’s practice.

The Canadiens will return home immediately after Friday’s game and will play host to the Washington Capitals Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

Going to the game tonight, paid big bucks for great seats. I was looking forward to this match-up for 2 long years and now I’m just demoralized told my buddies it’s going to be a scene when Snow White and the 7 dwarfs meet Freddy Kruger. Oh well at least get to see the P- 4’s, Price, P.K, Plekanec & Patches.

Max may show some extra effort tonight. First game back at the Joe since he played some games there as Michigan Wolverine. I’m sure he will have some friends in attendance and will want to play well.

I like Max a great deal, but have started to wonder about his compete level. I at least hope tonight he lights it up. Plus PK is in the lineup, Price is starting. I am hopeful you end up enjoying a great game as you first hoped.

Call me crazy, but I think Montreal gets a break and scores one early. I think it’s going to be a low scoring game as there will be lots of emphasis on defence and puck pursuit. Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but I see Montreal winning tonight.

We need to match that intensity. We are a fragile team right now. The first goal is key. You can just see in their body language when they get behind it’s like they have no chance. Hopefully they pop one early, Price holds the fort, and the boys work for a full 60 minutes.

I doubt they’ll get slaughtered. Detroit is nowhere near as good as the Pens, and are similar to the Habs in a few ways. Should be a good, up-tempo and fast moving game. Enjoy! Not sure what the barn in Detroit is like, but I bet its a nice one with good atmosphere…

Morning everyone! Blew out my back yesterday from lifting large Tupperware containers of water due to my neighbor upstairs shutting off her heating leading to a pipe blowing. Kitchen ceiling needs to be replaced, and I learned that light fixtures can make pretty good shower heads.

It’s obvious that the Habs have been going through a rough patch lately, but they’ll turn it around. It happens to every team. People advocate for coaching changes whenever the team starts slumping which is getting beyond ridiculous at this point. Given the slim pickings due to the linguistic and political landscape of Montreal and Quebec, there is no miraculous coaching change that will help the team somehow win the cup. All we can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

This wasn’t the first time it happened. A couple of years ago, her toilet got plugged so what does she try to do? Keep flushing it.
Kitchen ceiling had to be replaced. She does have a mental disability so I cant really blame her, but it does make our lives somewhat miserable whenever things like this happen.

Ay-ya-yai.
My g/f used to work up north in Schefferville as a nurse.
The one living above her finished her contract and went back to Montreal. She turned off the heating and opened the window to ‘air the place out’ (she’d been smoking the whole time in the room despite not being allowed).

It was January. It was Schefferville. It was -45 outside.

My g/f managed to save most of her clothes when the water burst through the ceiling into her closet.
Luckily she was able to move into another apartment.
Poor everyone.

Some years ago, I was outside talking to our neighbor and my wife came to join in on the conversation.
Ten minutes later, my son came running out “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me!!!” (Arms flailing… the whole 9 yards).
Come to find out, she was doing dishes and came out “for 20 seconds” to ask me something, and forgot,
I had to change the brand new lenolium on the kitchen floor, the ceiling in the bathroom downstairs and the ceiling in the hallway going down the stairs.
The good thing …. the new kitchen floor was ceramic this time.

There are moves one tries because they seem logical. There are moves one tries out of curiosity. Then there are moves tried on just a hunch.
Finally, there are moves that are a complete waste of time, that have absolutely no chance in hell to work out. All they do is delay finding real solutions for another few games.
Pairing PK Subban with douglas Murray is one such move.
For the first time, since he has been t the helm, I have to seriously question wether a coach who would put together such a pairing is qualified.
Therrien has brought changing lines and pairings to a new standard never before seen. It´s not enough he changes after every 2 game losing streak; he will now send the second and third periods of each game the team doesn´t start well making changes within the changes. The Pittsburgh game “We tried different some tings in da second period…we´ll see”
And you are telling me that this does affect the goals for at the end of the season? There are many, many players who need to know their linemates tendencies to play well, and there are quite a few of these players on the habs.

Subban plays about 20 minutes of Even Strength time per game.
Murray plays about 11 minutes of even strength time + PK time.
Gorges will probably play half the other time with Subban in even strength situations.

Murray has averaged 13:17 this year.
His biggest minutes games this year are 16:16 and 16:11.

Not completely sold on this pairing, but it is actually one of the things I’m looking forward to seeing tonight. I’m kind of a traditionalist when it comes to 5-on-5 lineups. That is to say, you want a good mix of skill and toughness. If Murray can control the crease and back Subban up, it might give PK the chance to roam a bit and make some plays. Plus, if guys like Abdelkader and Franzen start thinking they can pile into the crease, there’ll be someone big and tough enough to make them think otherwise.

The proof will be in the pudding. Either it will look good, or they’ll be -3 and Therrien can keep on tinkering….

Let us say the defensemen dressed for tonight’s game are
Gorges-Beaulieu
Markov-Emelin
Murray-Subban.

In those 6 defensemen where would you rank Murray… am I right to say as the 6th defenseman???

This stipulation is vital in my post… so if you disagree please give me where you rank him(Murray) in that group of 6.

If so then the pairing indicates one of the following.

a) M.T. sees P.K as his #1 or #2 defenseman and acknowledging the ‘stay home, clear the net, abilities’ of Murray (when he plays well)… then Murray’s ice-time deployment will be upgraded.. an endorsement of P.K…. and whether successful or not the pairing is meant to utilise Murray ‘MOAR’ and in the process endorse P.K.
So P.K flies and Murray stays home.

b)Since Murray is the #6th ranked and is paired with P.K, then the 5th/6th defencemen for tonight’s game will be P.K/Murrar… thus relegating P.K down the depth chart… for tonight’s game.

Now I am not determining the wisdom of A or B here. (Of course, if I were to have a bias(which I dont) I would prefer A).
And of course this could be all moot if the combos at practice do not indicate the combinations for the game.

All I am asking is delve into the ‘curious’ aspect of the pairing and come up with explanations to the scenario you raise. I see no other explanations.

From where I sit, PK is unquestionably the #1 D-man on this team, and its not even close. I think it is one of the few combinations that Therrien hasn’t tried, and that Murray might actually have some abilities that compliment PK. Based on that, I’d say that Murray might see a small bump in minutes, unless things go sideways. If it does in fact work that way, it will probably be Gorges who loses a few minutes.

So you are selecting A. I agree with you that it might be better than it appears at first blush. Just as I pointed out some weeks ago, Bouillion’s best game in recent weeks were in a pairing with P.K. It was such a good game that MT without solicitation praised Bouillion’s play after one of the games. He didnt… well let’s not go there. But the pairing didnt last.

What we have seen of Beaulieu in the last 2 games tells me this guy is the real thing. I say let him loose. Make sure his D-partner and forwards are ready to cover his ass but let’s see how much he’s got.

The notion that we are a grinding team, as noted by Therien, doesn’t make sense given the composition of our line up. We are a team with speed and skill. We are simply too small to be considered a grinding team. I really wonder if something was lost in translation, as that speech to the boys made no sense to me.

Right on…Also why not bring Tinordi up. It’s time to leave Diaz and Frankie out of the lineup to have any chance on defence. Markov is slow, Emelin is on cloud nine lately, Gorges is to small and PK is PK.

They’ll have to make Diaz go through waiver for that if I’m not mistaken. And i don’t see MB doing that to the Cube. They can only have a certain number of player on the big show.
_________________________________
Open-mindedness is not a skull fracture

I think we already tried that with Weber and it didn’t pan out. Mostly because even if they’re good with the puck, our swiss boys were still too small to be on a grinding line, and they can’t be given top 6 duties. Unlike a Burns or a Big Buff. I think he’s not the worst we have, he’s actually smart with the puck but if he can’t be paired with a hulking stay-at-home with quick feet (Murray is a slug, like Gill so don’t count in this aspect), he’s easy to break.

_________________________________
Open-mindedness is not a skull fracture

Some people spend their summer counting the hot summer days away in anticipation of the hockey season.

When it finally comes they spend the fall, winter, and spring ringing their hands in angst. Running with every rumor and being tortured souls.

I have finally realized that ‘hockey’ is the ‘Young and the restless’ for men. Following the story lines like a bunch of old ladies with their knitting, loving and hating the characters that perform.

Remember the only thing the’ Montreal Canadiens Corporation’ owes anyone is a good experience when you watch the entertainment. They owe you a good performance by their employees as is possible in a competitve game.

You come they have lights, music, jumbo trons, fast skating, atmosphere, anthems, maskots, refreshments, lots of parking and hopefull a great experience.

Like a casino they do not guarantee you will win.

You take your chances and you yell and forget your troubles for a couple of hours.

MB was considered one of the best pranksters in the league during his playing days. Your speculation is just as accurate as any of ours. In fact I may put you ahead of the pack. MB probably laughed even harder when PK then realized he missed practise as a result of the Ruse!

Awfully tough to find a coach for the Habs who doesn’t fall under the adage “But he was fired by _ _ _ _!” Perhaps indeed Babcock is the saviour, we just need him to refuse a contract extension with the Red Wings like he did to Anaheim. Because the minute the Red Wings fire him he will no longer have value.

Speaking of coaches, I was never that impressed with Boudreau, particularly during his time in Washington. However, the Capitals have not had a better playoff run since his departure, and he appears to be doing a great job in Anaheim.

I notice that Lyle R (Spector Hockey Rumors’) says that MB has ‘notified the other GM’s that Bourque is available’.That’s a good thing if true.

Frankly, I’ve been a little skeptical of MB since the Briere acquisition. Simply, he should have picked up Jagr instead.
Also, Prust has proven an often injured non-factor at a premium price.

What to do in such a competitive business? A few reality checks: 1. One sided trades don’t exist : 2. The cap is the great equalizer; 3. There are no dynasties, so you have to build a winner for a specific short time window; 4. A winning team is built around a very select few players, and there’s no room for baggage.

Les Canadians have a fine select few players but still are missing 2 high scorers and another super d’man (maybe Beaulieu?). And there’s a good bit of baggage.

So, the team isn’t there yet. One option would be to make available to teams in actual cup contention for trade everyone over age 32 for younger players or picks – Briere, Gionta, Markov, As well as Moen and a few others. Build for the future because a winner isn’t on the ice today..

You can see where I’m going with this, and I hate long posts. Just some thoughts…

What do we expect to get in rerturn for Rene Bourque? I would guess f*** all. I would actually go one step further and say the Habs would have to pay part of his remaining salary to make the trade that much more interesting. We need a power forward who can score and if you think Rene Bourque is going to get that in return, you are nuts. We are going to have to give up someone of significant value. If we are trying to attract a power forward then my guess is we are going to have to give up one of our top 3 d to get it. (Markov, Subban, Bealieau.) I just do nto think we are willing to part with such assets, but we are going to get Evanader Kane without throwing the Pegs a big bone!

“One sided trades don’t exist”?
Just from a Habs fan point of view …..
1. The Saint Patrick trade (the beginning of the ongoing decline)
2. Gomez and Tom Pyatt for McDonagh, Higgins, Valentenko and Janik
3. Ribeiro for Ninima
4. Richer, Darcy Tucker for Patrick Poulin
5. Damphousse for picks (5th or 6th round)
6. Chelios and a first of second round for a geriatric Denis Savard

etc….. etc….

The worst GM in my opinion was Reggie Houle. He blew the team up.
We’ve never been the same since.
Gainey didn’t do much better.

I don’t care if it’s bad luck, I’ll say it again: I’d rather lose 5-1 to the Pens than 7-1 to the Stars. Still very pleased with most of what I saw last night. Just wishing the Jets could’ve scored.

Also: did anyone else see Hamhuis have 3 golden chances, and 3 more so-so chances, on Vancouver’s first powerplay last night? He was pinched in down low right at the side of net and puck were just pissing his way cross-crease – he couldn’t bury one if he brought a shovel. It was comical.

I know bickering is a time honored HI/O tradition, but let’s not forget that what we have is logic, educated guess and gut feeling. Not all the facts.

So remember gentlemen, this is only hockey, so don’t bet your first-born just yet.

Talking about gut feeling, I think despite all the PR and posturing everybody here can sense that something is rotten in the land of Habmark. Especially between MT and PK. The first compliment he ever gave PK was pried from him out of exasperation. Kid is now an olympian, the coach goes ”Believe you me, I made this happen. ME !!!”
_________________________________
Open-mindedness is not a skull fracture

Tonight’s game will tell the world what was said in the meeting with MB. No words will be needed. PK’s performance will say it all. I suspect MB gave his superstar D man some very much needed advice on how to be successful in the NHL over 20 yrs. It could have been a leadership talk. PK may be ready or being primed to wear an “A” on his sweater. Gorges could be on the way to Edmonton for Yakopov and his letter will be available.

We’ll see tonight.

“Being on the PP doesn’t make you an offensive threat anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.”
Henry Ford

Whether he plays well or not is not really the tell I’ll be looking for but no one will really know what was said. I guess I’ll be watching his demeaner. I’ll decide, as will everyone else, what I think was said.

“Being on the PP doesn’t make you an offensive threat anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.”
Henry Ford

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

” Shortly after his arrival in December 2009, coach Peter Laviolette instituted what players came to call the “Dry Island.”
Laviolette asked team members to commit to not drinking for a month, and each player was asked to write his number on a locker room board as a pledge.
No. 17 (Carter) and No. 18 (Richards) were absent from the board on the first Dry Island, as well as the estimated five more times the policy was instituted.

I remember the Philly meltdown. But then I also remember Rod Brindamour’s unlikely finish and Cam Ward’s birth in 2006.

I still don’t think Carter and Richards were sent away JUST because they liked to party. There had to be a sizable rift in that locker room, and Pete or any other coach can’t have that. Rumors are what it is so we shouldn’t pay too much attention, but I vividly recall a story about how Carter pulled a Schneider on Hartnell, although as I said: rumors.

Plus he was never given a Carey Price in the back (he had Bryzzy for God’s sake) and Pronger was almost always out.

At least he stands up for his boys, ask Bylsma.
_________________________________
Open-mindedness is not a skull fracture

Rumours I heard were that Pronger had a big chunk of the team with him, and Richards/Carter led the other side of the room. Apparantly Pronger didn’t get along so well with the duo (lack of preparedness, professionalism etc…) Mgmt went with Pronger, Pronger then got seriously hurt and the trade essentially backfired.

The gyst of this article is at the heart of why I think it’s time for a coaching change. Watching the Jets here in Winnipeg before Noel was fired is similar to watching the Habs right now – they seem lost and unable to tap into any sort of identity for who they are as a team. I’m not saying that there aren’t significant holes in the line-up, but I see a team with players that are losing heart. My take is that the NHL game has passed MT by – his style of coaching (constant line changes, benching for minor issues, no rhyme or reason to discipline) doesn’t work with todays players. He appears to have reverted to the old MT (as opposed to last year). My belief is that the team is tuning him out, and we will see it more and more on the ice. Switching the coach doesn’t solve all the problems, but it solves one of them.

Yeah, I don’t get why people are shocked with where we are currently. The habs over performed in the first 30 games and now are basically where most of us thought we would be before the season started.

We are a team in transition and trying to build. It will be a few more years before we have a decent team if MB makes the right moves.

Not saying a coaching switch is THE answer to all that ails the Habs. Just saying there are marked similarities to what we see in the Habs and what was happening with the Jets. I’m most concerned at this point about a)the effect on the confidence of our young players (Eller and PK in particular, and b)the effect on the motivation to re-sign on our young players (again Eller and PK in particular). I think the players are beginning to suffer on a professional level due to MT’s style of coaching.

agreed, the turning point for me was when MT chose to not pull the goalie in a 2 goal game. a pro coach has to do everything and anything to get every point possible, and while I get he was making a point, he did so at the expense of possible points. if the CH miss playoffs (and playoff revenue) by one point, I think Molson has to reflect on that game.

Pitt announcer said it all during the game…. “Look at the bench, Canadians are showing no life, I would turn Subban loose. Try to get something going” …. not the exact words but certainly the main idea.

ok, maybe.
But it still does not hint at what they talked about.
Was it coach related, player related, was it just about Subban and his performance?
It’s likely not a contract issue, as surely PK would have had his agent there…
Speculation!

Why is this place called named “….Inside/Out”??? The connoctation would be that those who choose to visit would read information regarding the team not found in the mainstream media….or at least read it here first with greater details. Where is todays Red Fisher? I guess Stubbs would be the closest but very infrequently is his thoughts posted here. Is he not a fan of a blog site?? I don’t blame him. Boone turned this place into a Fan Forum with him leading the pack. A former “beat” writer that tells his readers how it is, in his opinion. Stu just writes the generics that anyone can read or watch anywhere. Hickey’s pieces are reprints of the Gazette and does not provide anything close to “inside/out” information…..although I love his quote below!! Of course Boone hated it as i gather he felt he and his legion were a primary target. It’s too bad this site has been reduced to fan speculations and ignorant opinion of a game they profess to understand better than the professionals. Fans are myopic and so has become that of this sight. A perfect example of allowing the inmates to run the asylum……a Fan Forum! I propose the site name be changed to reflect its reality.

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

The thing that bothers me the most about this team this season is this.

After we sucked in 2012 and got Chucky, it would have been understandable — not pleasant, but understandable — if we didn’t make the playoffs last season, and maybe get a high enough draft pick that we could get a little bit more than a several year project as a 1st rounder in what was touted as a very interesting year.

I do not advocate tanking on purpose. But if there ever was an opportunity, that was it. Now that we overperformed given the kind of team we have, now to be out of playoffs will be unacceptable. Even if we know that there is no way we could get past the first round.

I know, I know…… No use crying over spilled milk…….but in the meantime, I’m dipping my cookies in vodka….
_________________________________
Open-mindedness is not a skull fracture

The shortened season appears to have been what prevented the team from dropping down standings further to get a better draft pick. Given the way the team finished the season last year, we were not on an uptick.

That’s very true, we are wilting as the season progresses. Probably because the physical punishment is taking it’s toll.

@jo_maka is applying some hindsight to the shortened season that “in hindsight” makes good sense. I do believe 2 years from now we’ll be asking ourselves why we didn’t trade Markov before the 2014 trade deadline as we didn’t have a hope in hell of winning a cup in 2014. Instead we re-signed him to a useless 3-4 year contract and got no closer to our goal. And by that time, his value will be much lower and his cap hit will be an un-tradeable nuisance.

The truncated season really screwed us. We were going to collapse last year as well but the season ended after 48 games. We could have Nichushkin in our line up or a Samuel Morin in our prospect pool. Instead, we got McCarron.

I don’t mind McCarron, but I watch a 6’4, supremely talented, RW, Nichuskin flourish in Dallas and I drool over a possible first line of
Patches/Galchenyuk/Nichuskin. What could have been. I think Bergevin was high on Morin though so he probably would have taken him.

Acceptable, but maybe not acceptable to the players. Not picking on you or anyone in particular but HIO in general and some media have a thing that people don’t try and do well. To get to the NHL a player had to succeed at every previous level. These guys are by nature and grooming competitive. It is seldom you find a guy who doesn’t work as hard as he can, maybe one or two a team.

A coach can bench or scratch the one or two who aren’t hustling. He can bench the guy who goes into panic mode until he calms down. These are guys trying their best who get flustered and try and do too much. Then there are nights when a couple guys just don’t have it.

Long before fans and media notice that the team is collapsing the coaches begin to juggle lines. The team isn’t collapsing because the coach juggles lines. The team is surviving games because of it. Eventually nothing works anymore and it is what it is. Like the rookie running on adrenalin it just runs out of gas.

Tonight is a huge tilt. Yes, every game is a big game, but tonight really is a must win for the boys.

Detroit is nipping at our heals. Tonight has to be the night we right the ship and put a little distance between us and the pack again. Two win in the next 48 hours would be fantastic, 2 losses and we are right with 8 other teams fight for the wild card birth. The boys need to step it up.

Icedogs put the boots to Mississauga last night.
Dallas put the boots to the Leafs last night.
Had beers with my Dad, a great dinner with a friend, went to the Dogs game, and managed to sneak in a couple glasses of nice wine while watching the Leafs get trounced, as well.

A Pretty good Thursday if I do say so myself.

Lets hope the Habs can make this Friday just as good!

I wish Rousel had gotten a hold of Kadri after #43 ‘Kesseled’ him.
Seems to me that this is the second or third time this season that Kadri has swung for the fences. Am I right about that?

Clearly there are issues, ongoing, when it comes to how Therrien views Subban. Those of you who still deny the issues will never be swayed.

By now, in any other coach/player relationship involving the current Norris Trophy holder and an Olympian, the respect for the player would be a given.

About 100 games have past, Subban has gone from a young, unproven stud, all the way to one of the great defencemen in the league.

And the fact that Subban is now a 24 year old star, a true Number One defencemen, about to sign for 60 plus million, should be enough for Therrien to re-shape his outdated concerns.

Subban is not perfect. Neither is Chara or Weber or Doughty. They all turn the puck over. They all take penalties. They all lose their cool from time to time, lose their discipline, and punch players in the face instead of skating the other way.

Therrien is supposed to be the experienced coach.

It is time for Therrien to accept Subban for his great talent, and accept that Subban will never be perfect. He plays very aggressively. He will make mistakes. He will screw up. He will be undisciplined some times.

If Therrien does not, or is unwilling to, accept Subban for who it is, Bergevin will have no option but to find another coach.

If Bergevin actually supports Therrien in his ongoing frustration with Subban, and he’s considering trading PK, well……I would suggest that he better bring back a Malkin, a Stamkos, or one of the best players in the game in return. Nothing less will be accepted.

Other than a 1/2 period benching last week, designed to send a message to the whole team, what evidence have you to support your argument their relationship is strained?? Both PK and MT are on record stating the contrary. What you got?? or is your bias blocking your view.

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

I keep looking at Anaheim lineup and wondering how they are doing it….Bonino has been a huge surprise BUT it seems their top 2 dmen are 22 year old Cam Fowler and 20 year old Hampus Lindholm. They have a steady presence in Beauchemin but those two are getting serious minutes and roles as kids and delivering.

It’s fun watching other organizations playing their youth and showing confidence.
You mention Fowler. He was a 12th pick overall
He was also absolutely brutal defensively in his first 2 years going Minus – 25-28.
The Ducks stuck with him giving him 22 and 23 minutes per game in those 2 years.
Now they have a confident 22 year old gem Dman with over 250 games of precious NHL experience.
I wonder if there is a lesson there…

Agreed
The pic would be 15-18..not 25.
Then the Habs would play the Top seed (Pitt) and find out exactly where they stand and exactly what they need because there is nowhere to hide in the postseason.
Playoff hockey also has a way to expose the pretenders vs. the guys that really want it…

Playoff bound San Jose dumped Murray last year for 2 Pittsburgh Second round picks and also traded often injured Ryan Clowe to the Rangers for another 2nd and 3rd round pick.
2 unneeded pieces that would not have made a difference for the Sharks for a truckload of picks.

So, I had to take some grief from an obnoxious Leaf fan at work yesterday after our loss to Pitts – I told her she could resume planning the parade. Seeing her today will be the high point of my day Think I’ll take the high road though, don’t want any bad karma biting us in the hindquarters tonight.

This is somewhat encouraging. What we need to know is, who did these teams draft the 2 or 3 years prior to turning it around. What free agents did they sign and what trades did they make. That will tell the story. I am sure they did not turn things around with the same players.

Signing UFA Hossa was also huge along with the grand larceny trade for Patrick Sharp from Philly.

” Midway through the 2005–06 season, Sharp was traded by the Flyers, along with Éric Meloche, to the Chicago Blackhawks on December 5, 2005, for Matt Ellison and a 3rd-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.”

Ha ha, you know I do but I am really busy with work and minor hockey. But hey, stay tuned, I may have Lori convinced to go to California in March to watch the Kings, Ducks, Coyotes, and Sharks. They (Habs) are there the first week.

Therrien tries to rally the troops with the team trailing the Red Wings 2-1 after two periods and being badly outplayed:

Therrien: Do yoo remember dat scene from dat movee on Netflix, the team was down, unh, and de coach, he gave dat speech?
Players (small murmur): Yeah, yeah.
Therrien: Yoo remember dat scene?
Players (with a bit more gusto): Yeah, yeah!
Therrien: Do yoo remember what he said?
Players (full-throated chorus): Yeah, yeah!
Therrien: Well, dat, gentlemen, iz what I am sayin’!
(Complete silence)
Subban: What’s that?
Therrien: What’s what?
Subban (glances around the room, sees slightly furrowed looks everywhere, lifts face to coach): What is it you’re sayin’ exactly, and which Mighty Ducks movie is it from? The first one? Second? Third?
Prust: Mighty Ducks? Whaddya talkin’about, PK? It’s Slap Shot, right, coach? You want us to go whup some ass, show who’s boss? (nods head furiously, grinning eagerly)
Gionta: Slap Shot? No way. It’s Miracle on Ice, ain’t it, coach? Like we got a hope in hell of overcoming a one-goal deficit in the third period but miracles do happen, have happened. Will happen.
Moen: Close but no cigar, Cap. It’s Mystery, Alaska. You know, the puzzler about how a team traded away a top prospect for a veteran on the downside of his career. Coach is tellin’ us we could be shipped out like that guy was if we don’t pick up our game.
Pacioretty: For cryin’ out loud, it’s MVP, right, coach? Most Valuable Primate. We’re playing like a bunch of chimps out there. Now it’s time we evolved. Into NHL players. That’s what you’re tellin’ us, unh? Unh?
Gorges: For Pete’s sake, it’s Youngblood, you hosers. You know, the one with that dreamy Rob Lowe who plays a rising star who has to stand up to bullies. What the coach is sayin’, he wants one of our young players – you, Gally – to chop down Bertuzzi to let the Wings know we’re afraid of no one, even if means blood being spilled – yours, Gally. Right, coach?
Therrien (explodes): It’s De Rocket, you ^$&%#% idiots. Where de coach, Dick Irvin, tells Rocket Richard: “I need players who hate to lose!” Well, I need dose players too. Guys who hate to lose. And can $^&%& score!
(Therrien storms out. An embarrassed hush fills the room and then Subban looks up): I coulda swore he was talkin’ about Mighty Ducks 2.

Announcer’s voice:You got to get it, to get it.
The Canadiens, they don’t get it.
When it comes to putting the puck in, it’s Netnix.

Umm. He has publically stated he doesn’t want to be NHL head coach?
Kind of starts and stops there, doesn’t it?
********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

Just watched 3rd period of Isles/Pens game. Great game, Tavares was incredible, what a game breaker. Makes you think, what team in the NHL is successful if their best player is a D-man? What team is successful without an elite forward?

Teams need a SERIOUS threat up front and the HABS do not have one. They had some snipers like Cami, Cole, Ryder more or less but no elite player. All this talk about a power forward when they need an elite player up front. Your only elite player can’t be a D-man.

So how do they get this player? The draft is slow and dubious at best. A trade with a lot of players might do it or trade Subban. I love P.K. but if he is our only elite player, then he is not the answer and he needs to be a “forward”.

If you do not have any elite forwards, then the only other solution is to have a bunch of tough, hard skating hard working forwards that don’t take a night off. A little like the team LA won the cup with.

Chucky will be a good one, but 30 goals and 70 points is a real stretch next year I think. He is still pretty raw and isn’t a pure goal scorer. Definitely at some point in not too long, i think he can get that though.

I think you are overvaluating Beaulieu. He is having trouble making the NHL, never mind a top 2 man who can get 50 points. He isn’t a top tier prospect like many of the young Dman in the game today.

4 wins in 11 starts (one of those the dreadful game in Ottawa they had no business winning) + no fire on the ice + players looking lost and confused = MT has lost the room. He isn’t getting it back. Too many inconsistent decisions, too much line juggling, too many mixed messages. MT cannot get out of MT’s way. It is time for him to go.

MT has had only about 100 games so far, so isn’t going anywhere. The team’s misfortune isn’t on MT. All coaches juggle lines when things are not working, that is nothing new and is a must. I don’t see any mixed messages from MT and his staff either. He is trying to have them play with intensity, push the pace of the game and pay attention to details, especially defensively.

I don’t care which coach you have, it would not be much better, The team just is pretty average personel wise and not balanced. A lot of guys are underperforming as well. MT and his staff can talk, but it’s the players who have to bring it. The only player who I don’t think has been treated right is Briere.

It’s up to MB and the scouting staff to find ways to improve the team and they really haven’t done much. MT can only work with what he has. The team is just average and that has a lot to do with Gainey/Gauthier. Firing Therrien will not turn this team into a contender.

I don’t see a problem with how MT has handled Eller. The guy is getting 17 mins a game and just isn’t producing. He gets some good wingers too. What do you want MT to do? Play him with Patches? Tried that for a short time, didn’t work and DD is great with him. More PP time? He plays some, but hasn’t shown anything to push DD or Pleks out. It’s up to Eller to force MT’s hand and he hasn’t.

What do you want him to do with Prust? I don’t see an issue. He plays on the 3rd and 4th lines and that is what he is.

Bournival gets some opportunity, but his play has regressed. When he played well, he got to be on the 2nd line. Now that he quited down he was on the 3rd with Bourque and Briere or the 4th line, depending. That is fine. He is young and learning. It’s not like he is a grade A talent.

Pleks is the shutdown guy because he is great at it and nobody else can come close. Just like Bergeron in Boston.

With the Canadiens, it seems more important now to be political, than win. Major problem, since when I had the privilege of watching Scotty Bowman coach this team, no Pur laine seemed to mind that he didn’t speak French!

Sorry to inject a harsh note of reality into a perfectly good whine, but Bowman was born in Montreal and as wikipedia says:

Bowman was hired in part because he is fluently bilingual in English and French.

So yeah, it has always been critical that the coach be able to talk to the French speaking media. It didn’t used to be a requirement that the GM speak French, but that was back in the days when GM’s seemed to regard journalists as a lower life form and didn’t deal with them much.

Ahem… Dick Irvin (born Hamilton Ontario)
Bob Berry (barely spoke French)
but more importantly, my comment was framed around the need to have the BEST coach for our team to win the CUP! Not satisfy the minority chest puffer “OUI” crowd who would burn their own houses down to get what they want, only then to turn around and say, eh! you have to build me a new house!
Point is, it’s a different league now and we’ll be resigned to an also ran unless we find a way to merge the needs of all our fans (to win a cup-s) and have an exciting team… sigh…

Subban could be Captain at some point, but I wouldn’t give it to him now. That extra responsibility will do him no good. The things he does isn’t that big a deal, but is not Captain material. You just can’t have a Habs Captain taunting the other team and tugging at his jersey after goals. You don’t go from Gainey to Carbo to Muller to Koivu then Gio and then a young brash Subban for this franchise.

He doesn’t have a chance for Captain, if MT chooses or even if the players do. Pleks would be my choice.

Subban leads the team in points as a D-man. He leads the team in effort. He leads the team in excitement. Taunting exists in all aspects of any sport. Hes going represent Canada next month. If this isnt a sign of a leader then what is?? Maybe not soon a captain. But I believe captain material.

It’s not about points or excitement. On ice play is important, but nt the end all. I just don’t think at this point he is a good fit. I also think it woud be better for him if he wasn’t for a few more years.

Sometimes its good for a player to get different voices and perspectives. Assistant coaches, the Head coach, and even the GM. If you always hear it from the same individual there is a tendency to tune out.

MB was also a defensman for 20 years, so could offer some unique perspective that MT can’t. It’s no big deal, Gainey did it at times and I suspect many GMs with NHL playing experience do. I’m sure a guy like Yzerman who is a HOF player in the league does the same. Even an owner Like Mario surely talks with players sometimes,

No disrespect intended, but I’ve never seen anyone try so hard to find negative interpretations of a situation as you do with this one. I’m not saying everything is hearts and flowers, hell the way the team is playing – or not playing these days – it would be surprising if things aren’t a bit tense.

But every time there is anything from the organization regarding PK you manage to spin the absolute worst inferences from it. You’ve raised finding tempests in teapots to an art form.

Any comment anyone makes seems to you to be a slight or deliberate insult to the man. Compliment someone else on the team – it’s an insult to PK. Say he’s learned a lot this year – an insult to PK.

You already have PK with one foot out the door. It doesn’t seem to affect your thinking, regardless of what PK himself says about the situation either.

My fearless prediction – PK will sign a 7 or 8 year deal this year for major dollars and will be a cornerstone of the team for the next decade. That should give you lots of time to tell everyone how badly the organization is treating him.

Perhaps MB talked to Subban as a leader of the team to find out the temperature in the room per se. It is very possible Gionta could be traded, Markov is approaching UFA, Subban is the long term leader of this team after all.

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

********************************************************
“Fans are entitled to express their opinion, but most of the comments on talk radio and on The Gazette’s Hockey Inside/Out website ranged from the mildly uninformed to the outrageously stupid” – Pat Hickey.

When MT learns how to put lines together. We’ll start winning again
ie Eller don’t belong on the left wing with anyone. He’s a center and should be playing with Pacioretty and Gallaghar!! Pleks with Bourque and Gionta. Desharnais with Bournival and Leblanc.
Briere with Moen and Prust/Parros

I’m sure it’s just temporary with Eller, he will likely go back to centering the 3rd line soon. It’s not like he was doing much there anyway. Worth a shot instead of Moen, but he just doesn’t have it offensively I find and is making some bad decisions with the puck lately.

3G 4 A -12 in the last 28 games. I wouldn’t put him anywhere near Patches and Gally.

I’m taking about the last 30 games or so. After his hot start, the EGG line cooled off and Gally was moved with Max and Patches and that line got going.

Eller has played with Chucky for much of the season and Bourque, Briere, Bournival etc. and really has done nothing offensively. The thing that I’m noticing lately is his defensive game is really off as well and he turns over the puck way too often.

He really is not playing well right now and I feel both DD and Pleks are playing a lot better.

Not good tonight, but Bernier has played very well this season. So has Reimer actually. In his first full season they both have stole a lot of points for one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

Bernier now has better numbers than Price. I think Bernier will be a future top goalie in the league.

I’d do this, or any number of other deals to get Byfuglien. He would be a perfect top-4 RH shot on D; he’s big and tough; and he’s got the hands to slide up and play forward on the PP, screening goalies and owning the boards down low.